They are becoming rarer, the reports of miraculous rescues from the Turkish and Syrian disaster areas. But when they arrive, they become more special every time. Mustafa Avci, 33, was pulled from the rubble on Friday eleven days, or an almost unimaginable 261 hours, after the devastating earthquake hit southern Turkey’s Hatay province. What can happen in such a long time is shown not least by the example of the rescued person himself: fearing for his life, the 33-year-old fathered a daughter.
Mustafa seemed in high spirits when he was rescued, and during an initial phone call (see video above) with a friend, he immediately asked about his parents and the rest of his family. The interlocutor repeatedly bursts into tears, the rescued himself is overjoyed but relatively calm.
Daughter was born on the day of the earthquake
Since he apparently had no life-threatening injuries, he was able to receive his wife Bilge at the hospital in the coastal town of Mersin on Friday. She brought her daughter Almile, who was born on February 6 – the day of the earthquake.
Rescue video as motivation boost for helpers
The video of the harrowing first phone call after the rescue was distributed by Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. He wants to motivate the aid workers not to give up at the end of the second week after the disaster. Motivation injections are also absolutely necessary in the affected area, because the number of deaths continues to rise. As of Friday afternoon, there were nearly 44,000 confirmed deaths in Turkey and Syria.
Doctors warn about cholera
And there are more dangers: the medical association in the affected Turkish region warns against infectious diseases such as cholera: “We urgently need access to clean drinking water and ensure hygiene. In addition, the waste must be disposed of,” the appeal said. There is a lack of chlorine tablets, mobile toilets, cleaning equipment and vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
